Opalka Gallery Welcomes the Work of Sculptor John Van Alstine

August 14, 2012 at 2:56 pm

Albany, NY – The Opalka Gallery inaugurates its 10th Anniversary Season with an exhibition of sculpture and drawings by John Van Alstine, curated by Ruth Hall Daly. This is the first sculpture exhibition at the Opalka to deploy works both outside and inside the gallery.

An internationally recognized sculptor, John Van Alstine is based in Wells, NY. Though his sculptures have been placed around the world, including the Beijing Olympic Park, they are rooted in the nature of his immediate environment and reflect how his travels and education inform his perception of that environment and in turn ours. Stone and steel are the most common materials used in his work.

In her essay for the exhibition catalogue, Ellen Landis states: “The combination of natural elements and man-made materials has long fascinated sculptors. John Van Alstine, however, carries the union to a new plane and creates an aesthetically stunning marriage of stone and metal. Centuries-old stone united with contemporary metals meld into an innovative perceptual schema that is unique to Van Alstine. The heavy slabs of stone and the more articulated metal components, so much in contrast to the stone, together create a balance of surprising grace and agility. Counterpoising both the physical and the metaphysical aspects of such divergent elements is key. Seemingly precarious in their placement, they are in fact well rooted. What look like spontaneous optical effects are structured perceptual statements that create an ambiguous illusion.”

The show runs from August 27 - October 14. The 1st Friday Reception will be held on September 7 at 5 p.m. and a guided tour with the artist is scheduled for October 5 at 6:30 p.m.

On Friday, September 21 beginning at 7:45 p.m., the Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company will perform a trio of 15 minute site-specific performances in response to Van Alstine's work. All are free to the public.

For more information, please contact Fabienne Waring at (518) 292-7742 or opalka@sage.edu.